Thomas g



(No Model.)

. T. G. BENNETT.

PRIMER FOR ORDNANOE.

' No. 606,440. Patented June 28, 1898.

UNITED STATES PATENT Trice.

THOMAS G. BENNETT, OF NElV HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE VINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PRIMER FOR ORDNANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 606,440, dated June 28, 1898.

Application filed November 26, 1897. Serial No. 659,734. (No model.)

To alt whom it may concern.-

of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Improvement in Primers; and I do hereby declare the following, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawings constitute part of this specification, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a broken view, in longitudinal section, of a large cartridge-case provided with a removable primer constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a broken plan view of the head of the said case, showing the primer in position therein; Fig. 3, an enlarged view, in central longitudinal section, of one form which a primer constructed in accordance with my invention may assume; Fig. 4c, a corresponding view of the primerbody as it appears stripped of all its adjuncts and before being loaded; Fig. 5, a view in central longitudinal section of a primer provided with my improved independently formed powder-cup and provided with a gas-check not only in its head, but also at its forward end; Fig. 6, a corresponding view of a primer constructed like that shown in the preceding figure, but having a modified form of gascheek located atits forward end; Fig. 7, a broken view, in longitudinal section, show ing the application to the head of a primer of such a gas-check as is shown in Fig. 6 applied to the forward end of a primer.

My invention relates to an improvement in primers designed particularly for use in conjunction with large cartridge-cases, though not limited to such use, the object being to produce a reliable primer with particular reference to its convenient removal from the case, so that the same may be loaded over and over again.

\Vith these ends in view my invention consists in a primer provided with a laterally-expansible annular gas-check inclosing a forwardly-opening annular gas receiving or expansion chamber which intercepts the gas,

which then expands the check and forms a gastight joint between it and the adjacent walls of the primer-receiving chamber in the cartridge-case.

My invention further consists in certain details of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described,-and pointed out in the claims.

In carrying out my invention, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4:, I form a deep annular groove having a straight inner wall and an inclined outer wall in the inner face .of the overhang 6o ing head E of the primer body A. This groove constitutes a forwardly-opening gas receiving or expansion chamber S, the outer wall of which forms a laterally-expansible annular gas-check '1, which is outwardly expanded by the pressure of the gas intercepted by the said chamber. When the said check is expanded, its outer wall is forced against the side wall of the counterbored outer end B of the primer-receiving chamber 0, formed in the head D of the cartridge-case, so as to form a gas-tight joint. The gas-check thus formed is, it will be observed, integral with the primer-body. A corresponding integral gas-check may, if desired, be formed at the forward edge of the primer-body, as shown in Fig. 5, by cutting away the inner portion of the end of the primer-body, so as to form a forwardly-opening gas-receiving chamber V, which is inclosed by an integral laterally-ex- 8o pansible annular flange V, forming the gascheck proper and expanded by the gas intercepted by the chamber, so as to form a gastight joint between its outer face and the adj acent side wall of the primer-receiving cham- 8 5 her in the head of the cartridge-case. The overhanging head of the primer-body shown by this figure of the drawings is also provided with a forwardly-opening annular gasreceiving chamber S and with an integral lat 9o erally-expansible annular gas-check T; but this is not essential when the primer is provided with a gas-receiving chamber and gascheck at its forward end; nor is it essential when the forward end of the primer is pro-. vided with a gas-receiving chamber and gascheck that its head he provided with those adjuncts.

In the modified construction shown by Fig.

6 the forward end of the prim'enbody is provided with an independently-formed laterallyexpansible gas .-check W, squarely abutted against the forward end of the primer-body, corresponding thereto in external circumference, and inclosing a forwardly-opening annular gas-receiving chamber W, which intercepts the gas, which in turn laterally expands the check to form a gas tight joint between the same and the adjacent side wall of the primer-receiving chamber in the cartridgehead. The overhanging head of the primer shown by this figure of the drawings is also formed with a laterally-expansible annular gas-check T and with a forwardly-opening gas-receiving chambers; but these adjuncts may be omitted, if desired, as they are not necessary when the forward end is provided with a gas-receiving chamber and a gas-check, as described. 7

In Fig. 7 of the drawings I have shown the application of an independently-made check to the overhanging head of a primer-body, the inner portion of the said head being cut away to form a recess E receiving an independently made laterally expansible annular sheet-metal gas-check X, inclosing an annular gas-receiving chamber X, which intercepts the gas, which expands the gas-check and forces the same into such intimate contact with the adjacent outer wall of the counterbored outer end B of the primer-receiving chamber in the cartridge-head as to form a gas-tight joint.

It will be seen byv reference to all of the drawings except Fig. 2 that the primer-body is formed with external threads 13, which are provided for adapting the primer to be removably secured in the primer-receiving chamber of the cartridge-case, the said chamber being formed with corresponding internal threads, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. It will be readily understood that under this construction the primer may be removed to permit the case to be loaded over and over again, provided the primer does not become stuck in the case by the fouling of the threads, from which the gas will be kept when the forward end of the primer is provided with my improved check and gas-receiving chamber. However, it may be considered sulficient to provide the head of the primer with such a check and chamber whereby any gas is prevented from working rearward intothe gun in which the cartridge is fired.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the overhanging head E of the primer is formed in its edge with notches E, by means of which the primer-head is engaged for turning the primer into its home position, as well as for removing it from the cartridge-case.

The primers shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are provided with independently-formed cylindrical powder-recei ving cups U, which project beyond the forward ends of the primers and receive not only the powder, but the instrumentalities employed for igniting the same. However, the use of such a cup is not imperative.

With reference to Fig. 5 it will be noticed that the cup U is surrounded by the gas-receiving chamber V, and in effect forms the inner wall thereof, while in the construction shown by Fig. 6 the cup is surrounded by the annular gas-receiving chamber WV, and in effect forms the inner wall thereof.

In the construction shown by Fig. 3 I have shown the primer as provided with adjuncts similar to those described in United States Letters Patent No. 520,116, granted May 22, 1894, to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company as the assignee of William Mason; but I would have it understood that the particular firing adjuncts of the primerform no part of this present invention and may be replaced by firing adjuncts of any approved construction and designed to operate either electrically or by concussion.

As in the patent aforesaid, the primer contains a chambered head F, having a threaded stem G, which extends outward through the overhanging head of the primer-body, the said head of the primer-body being counterbored, as at H, for the reception of an insulating-cap J, which contains a nut I, applied to the threaded outer end of the stem G. Between the said chambered head F and the bottom of the chamber formed within the primer I locate an insulating-disk K, of mica or other suitable material. Within the said chambered head I place an insulating-ring L, formed from wood,'rubber, or vulcanized fiber and having its opposite faces recessed for the reception of metallic washers M and N, serving to hold in. place the platinum ignitingwire 0, the opposite ends of which are placed in the bottom of the said recesses. The said wire extends diagonally through the central opening of the insulating-ring L, which is packed with guncotton P or other inflammable substance. The said ring is held in place by a sheet-metal cup Q, which is crowded into the primer and which forms a cup, as it were, fo'r'the reception of the powder P, which is confined in place by a disk-shaped wad b, held in place byturning the reduced forward end a of the primer-body inward, as shown in Fig. 3; but, as aforesaid, I do not limit myself to any particular adjuncts for the primer, as those will be determined by the dictation of circumstances.

In view of the modifications suggested and of others which may be made I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the exact construction shown and described, but hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. Aprimer having its body provided with external threads which take into corresponding threads formed in the side walls of the primer-receiving chamber of a suitable cartrid e-case and the said rimer bein also a 7 I P a provided with a laterally-expansible, annu lar gas-check inclosing a forwardly-opening, annular, gas receiving or expansion chamber which intercepts the gas which then expands the check and forms a gas-tight joint between it and the adjacent portions of the walls of the said primer-receiving chamber.

2. A rimer having its body provided with external threads which take into corresponding threads formed in the side walls of the primer-receiving chamber of a suitable cartridge-case, and the. said primer being also formed with an overhanging head which is grooved to form a forwardly-opening annular gas receiving or expansion chamber which intercepts the gas which then expands the check and forms a gas-tight joint between it and the adjacentportions of the walls of the said primer-receiving chamber.

3. A primer having an overhanging head which is grooved to form a forwardly-opening annular gas-receiving chamber, inclosed by a laterally-expansible, integral, annular gas-check.

4. A primer provided with an independinto it, and projecting forward beyond its for- A ward end, and surrounded by a forwardlyopening annular gas-receiving chamber located at the forward end of the primer-body and inclosed by a laterally-expansible annular gas-check.

6. The combination with a cartridge-case having a threaded primer-opening, of a primer externally threaded for engagement therewith, and a laterally-expansible annular gas check between said case and primer, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification. in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS G. BENNETT. \Vitnesses:

THOMAS (J. JOHNSON, DANIEL H. VEADER. 

